Expert on Leipzig drone: Escalation
It is too early to point out Russia as responsible for the drone incident at Leipzig airport, although much points in that direction. This is what hybrid threat expert and Russia expert Hanna Smith tells TT.
Leipzig airport, an important hub for support for Ukraine, appears to have come within a hair of an explosion.
Late Tuesday evening, an airport employee discovered an explosive-laden drone near four Ukrainian cargo planes. At least one of the planes was loaded with military equipment, according to a police report seen by German media.
Peter Neumann, a security expert at King's College in London, emphasizes that drone incidents have occurred before but that this incident constitutes an escalation.
“From what is known so far, this is the first case in Germany where a drone with an explosive device has been found. It is obvious that it is no longer just about spying. We are talking about a possible attack,” he writes on X.
Not the first time
In July 2024, there was also a dangerous situation at the airport when a letter bomb sent via DHL caught fire. Western security sources pointed to Russia as responsible.
In the current case, the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany pointed to Russia early on for planting the drone.
– The first thing you always think about is: Who else could it be? says hybrid threat expert Hanna Smith, who works at the University of Vaasa.
Espionage allegations
Although Russia clearly has a lot to gain from blowing up a plane carrying military equipment to Ukraine, the Russian state does not need to be directly involved, she believes.
– There could also be criminal groups that benefit from Ukraine being weakened.
In June, Germany opened a new national center to coordinate the country’s defense against so-called hybrid attacks. According to authorities, the center is a response to the growing threats of sabotage, espionage and disinformation campaigns from Russia.
In early August, a Ukrainian man was arrested after taking photos of an arms manufacturer in Bavaria. German police suspect that the man was working for a foreign state, although it is unclear which one.
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